Exercise & Fibromyalgia: Theory, Research and Applications.

Fibromyalgia is a complex condition that affects millions of people worldwide. This book was born out of the need to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date guide on the prescription and administration of physical exercise, with a particular focus on the benefits of adapted physical activity as a “non-pharmacological” treatment. In Chapter 1, we explored fibromyalgia syndrome in all its facets, from clinical framing to epidemiology, from etiopathogenesis to symptomatology, and finally to diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. We also analyzed the physical and motor disorders, and the psychological aspects associated with the syndrome. Chapter 2 was dedicated to the benefits of adapted physical activity for individuals with fibromyalgia. We discussed how exercise can be prescribed as a “non-pharmacological” treatment and its effects on the process of pain neuromodulation. We examined different types of exercise and their effectiveness on patients’ physical abilities and functional status, as well as the importance of body awareness therapies. In Chapter 3, we focused on the psychophysical well-being of individuals with fibromyalgia, exploring how physical activity can influence cognitive well-being, pain, flexibility, balance, and quality of life. We compared the effects of targeted physical activity versus non-specific training and analyzed the impact of exercise in water or on land on stress response. Chapter 4 presents specific exercise protocols for fibromyalgia syndrome, including aerobic training, strength training, flexibility, and joint mobility. We also explored combined or multicomponent training, water training, Pilates, Tai Chi, and dance as movement therapy. Finally, in Chapter 5, we provided practical guidelines for the prescription and administration of physical exercise, with particular attention to training programming and exercise dosage according to the FITT-VP principles. We concluded with an example of an exercise protocol adapted for individuals with fibromyalgia, with the availability of online videos showing the exercises to be performed via QR Code scanning. We hope that this book can be a valuable resource for kinesiologists, physicians, physiotherapists, patients, and all those involved in the management of fibromyalgia. Our goal is to offer an in-depth understanding of the syndrome as well as the most effective “non-pharmacological” treatment par excellence, which is physical exercise, to improve the quality of life of patients.